WELLS VILLAGE LIBRARY CELEBRATES 76TH ANNIVERSARY WITH FIRST ANNUAL ANNIE HUYCK DAY
On October 12, 1944, resident Annie Huyck donated to Wells a beautiful structure that was originally a Universalist Church. Her only stipulation was it exclusively and in perpetuity be used as a public library. Ever since, the one-room building on the town green has been known as Wells Village Library.
We believe Annie, renowned for her kindness and sense of community, would be thrilled to know how grateful the town remains for her profound act of giving. By all accounts, she was a beloved benefactress. We want to ensure her legacy lives on. To that end and made possible through a Stewart's Shops donation, we are planning a multi-faceted 76th Anniversary Celebration for Saturday, October 17th from 2 PM until 4 PM.
In Huyck's honor, the library's activities will focus on kindness and giving. New on-topic books will be available for all ages. Borrow a book, get a free treat from the ice cream truck on location. The library will distribute twenty-five art kits containing new pastels and multi-media sketch pads for families to artistically interpret what Annie's philanthropy and traits like generosity and kindness mean to them. There will also be informational packets about Annie and the library's history given to the first twenty-five families in attendence. A new video highlighting historic footage of the library's 1944 dedication ceremony is in the works and will be uploaded for all to view through the library's new YouTube channel. On a special note, the library is planning its first mascot. Attendees will have a chance to vote for one of several designs submitted by local artists. The new mascot will be named "Nan," which was Annie Huyck's nickname. Those who vote will receive a lapel badge declaring, "I voted for our Nan mascot."
Finally, to provide families the opportunity to experience firsthand kindness and giving, the library will be gifting twenty-eight "Giving Muffins." These are specially designed coupons for participants to give to someone else thereby gifting a free muffin from The Wells Country Store. Without providing the opportunity for participants to themselves engage in giving, the event seemed incomplete. We are excited to offer folks the chance to give coupons for what we locals know are the best muffins in all of New England.
The library timed this celebration to complement Modern Woodmen's Chicken and Biscuit Take-out Dinner, also in Wells. The dinner benefits the Wells, Rupert and North Granville fire departments and begins at 4:00 PM. Families can start their afternoon at the library, relax on the green, take a drive around Lake St. Catherine, then head to Modern Woodmen for dinner. It will be a great day rain or shine. You can reach Modern Woodmen by calling Annie Rathbun at 518-641-9283.
Those attending either/both events should social distance, wear a mask and observe all COVID-related protocols.